FEATURE: Real Amps vs. Simulation Amps

 I can't remember the last time I heard that the first thing a young guitarist did was buy a real, analog amp, possibly an all-tube one. Sure, you've heard from some old men that they're supposed to be "better," but hey, my Apple computer runs GarageBand and all the amps are in there. And they aren't that difficult either. And they aren't that loud either. And above all, they are not that expensive. And above all they are one thing, an inferior, poor-sounding attempt to use the reputation of legends to tell people about horses. You don't believe me? So then, here are 9 reasons why you should stay away from Sims if you're a serious musician.

Before I forget, I'm not talking about the Kemper sampler (also known as a profiler), today it's all about speaker or amp simulations, which are now included with every DAW or can be purchased for a few euros. First of all, one thing to all critics, if you are completely satisfied with your sound or if you generate a lot of sales with the same sound, go for it. I have colleagues myself who play large festival shows with VST plugins. The guitar sound is pathetic every time, but the audience doesn't care at all, only a few left the audience and if they did, then probably only a few because of the guitar sound. I was one of them...

1.) Sims comes from Simulation

Of course it's obvious, but perhaps it's worth remembering for a moment. All of the software amps mentioned are nothing more than an attempt to get as close to an analog amp in terms of sound as possible. On the other hand, visually it's a murderous spectacle and it's sometimes really difficult not to fall for this high-quality Punch and Judy show, but in a 1:1 comparison to the copied original you can sometimes just laugh out loud. I've heard simulations from Diezel, Mesa Boogie or VOX Amps where you can't believe that an established manufacturer is serious about this, even though there are tons of algorithms that use IR or something similar to try to understand the complex signal chain Calculate the amplifier, box, speakers and microphone. Can this work? Well, it works just as well as flying a real 747 or practicing in a flight simulator. The principle is the same, but the differences are immense. Perhaps at some point in the distant future there will be the possibility in quantum computing to copy the response and resonance behavior of an analog amplifier so perfectly that a difference is no longer noticeable, but at this time the music will only be generated by avatars anyway. so this point really no longer plays a role.


2.) Too much choice reduces creativity

Anyone who doesn't just concentrate on copying a sound or song, but also brings their own creativity into play through songwriting, will know the problem. At the push of a button you can load hundreds, even thousands of amp / cabinet / speaker / microphone simulations into your DAW, so that you can spend hours searching for the optimal sound from the intro riff, even before you find the first hook or the first one line of text is written.

If you have one or perhaps two high-quality amps, you take a good basic sound and first work out your song framework and then structure the sound around the song. Today, guitarists are like the keyboard players of the eighties when the classic Roland D-50 or Yamaha DX-7 appeared in the studio. Preset 1, no, it's not that one, Preset 2, no, it's not that one either and so on and so forth. I've spent hours of my life next to keyboard players picking a chord and stepping through their presets from 001 to 999. Terrible!


3.) The eternal enemy of perfect timing, latency

Of course, computers are getting faster and the problem of latency is getting smaller, but it will never stop. The famous sentence “below 25 - 30 ms you won't hear any difference during recording” is simply nonsense! This may still be true to some extent for strumming, but when I play a staccato riff or lick, even with a latency of less than 20 ms, I feel every single delay and am constantly inclined to play further forward, which then comes at a massive expense to the timing.


4.) The resale value

Have you ever tried selling software? Has anyone been successful with this? I may be wrong in certain areas, but anything in digital form has virtually no value because it can be hacked, cracked, or simply copied, making it accessible to anyone. What everyone can have has no value, see Spotify.

With an analog amp, you have a product that you can sell well even after decades and that will also increase in value depending on the manufacturer's company policy. For example, in the eighties I once had two pieces. Bought Marshall 2204 top parts that were rarely used and spent most of their lives in professional flight cases, meaning they are actually brand new. Some time ago a colleague told me that Marshall stopped producing these amps years ago. You can imagine the rest...


5.) Even cheap analog amps sometimes offer good to very good quality

The killer argument “But I don’t have any money” cannot generally be used. There are plenty of amps, some even full-tube, that deliver good sound on a small budget. The Nano Amps or the Ampman series from Hughes & Kettner or the amps from Joyo alone offer above-average sound and are available for a comparatively low price.


6.) Fun

Guitarists love equipment, most of them are complete nerds in one way or another. Anyone who has ever stood in front of an official full stack, even if it is not switched on yet, can feel the terrifying presence of this monster. That makes an impression, that makes you proud, that's fun. How much of an impression does a window pop up in your DAW?


7.) Take money for something everyone has at home?

For those of you who are more advanced and perhaps run a budget studio at home, why would someone want to work with you if you just offer them the same plug-ins that everyone has at home. Working in the studio has to be worthwhile by expanding your sonic horizons; you can't achieve that with sims. By the way, if you are afraid of the immense volume of some amps, use the Grossmann Isolation Box ( https://www.amazona.de/test-grossmann-sg-box-isolationsbox-fuer-gitarristen/ ) or the Fryette Power Station ( https: //www.amazona.de/test-fryette-power-station-power-attenuator-und-roehrenendstufe/ ) you have two high-end products at hand that will help you achieve a top guitar sound even at room volume.


8.) Knowledge is power

Anyone who has ever done it knows what I'm talking about. Recording an amp including a cabinet and speaker with the right microphone(s) is an education in itself. It's not for nothing that in the glorious eighties, when the record companies' budgets were endless, there were dedicated drum and guitar sound technicians, simply because the possibilities for the perfect sound are almost endless. Unfortunately, the possibilities for a complete garbage sound are also endless. Anyone who has ever really worked with their amp will learn tons of specialist knowledge that will benefit them throughout their life. This is something you should definitely take with you as it takes you to a whole other level when it comes to respect.


9.) Find your own sound

There is nothing more boring than finding the same sound over and over again on all recordings. Even if the majority of the guitar sound still comes from the fingers, the individual signal chain can also support a large part of the musical personality. If you work with Sims, you can move virtual microphones around and swap virtual speakers, but it's always the same 4-5 microphone emulations, 4-5 speaker emulations and all positions sound the same on all DAWs. Individuality? Zero!

Conclusion

What do we learn from all these points? I mean no offense, but amp simulations have always been nothing more than a bonus from DAW manufacturers to attract guitarists as customers. It worked great, I would have done the same as a marketing manager at Logic or Steinberg. But what may work well with high-end plugin manufacturers in the pro area regarding compressors, enhanced audio, etc. does not work for 5 cents in the guitar area.

Take lessons, learn from experienced colleagues and ask all the experts questions to deepen your knowledge, but forget about working with guitar sims, it's not even worth the time it takes to boot up your computer.

In this sense …

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Additional Informations:

The landscape of music production has undergone a transformative journey with the advent of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). One notable innovation that has significantly impacted the way musicians and producers approach recording is the development of amplifier simulation plugins. These plugins, commonly known as amp sims, aim to replicate the sonic characteristics of traditional guitar amplifiers within the digital realm. This comprehensive report delves into the evolution of amp simulation plugins, exploring their origins, technological advancements, and the profound impact they have had on the music production landscape.

*1. Early Beginnings:*
   - The concept of emulating guitar amplifiers digitally emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
   - Standalone amp modeling units were among the first attempts to provide a portable solution for guitarists seeking a variety of tones in a single device.
   - Initial software-based amp simulations were basic, offering limited customization options and often lacking the realism needed to convincingly replicate analog amplifiers.

*2. Technological Advancements:*
   - **Digital Signal Processing (DSP):** The integration of advanced DSP technology played a pivotal role in enhancing the authenticity of amp simulations. This allowed for more intricate modeling of analog circuitry and components.
   - **Convolution and Impulse Responses (IR):** The use of convolution technology, combined with high-quality impulse responses, enabled developers to capture the unique sound characteristics of specific amplifiers, cabinets, and microphones, providing a more realistic simulation.

*3. Rise of Plugin Developers:*
   - As DAWs gained popularity, third-party plugin developers began to focus on creating amp simulation plugins that could seamlessly integrate into the digital recording environment.
   - Companies such as Line 6, IK Multimedia, and Native Instruments were at the forefront of developing comprehensive amp sim suites, offering a wide array of virtual amplifiers and effects.

*4. Real-Time Processing and Low Latency:*
   - Improvements in processing power and optimization allowed for real-time amp simulation with minimal latency, making it feasible for musicians to incorporate amp sims into their live performances and recording sessions.
   - This development marked a significant shift, as guitarists could now access a vast collection of iconic amplifiers without the need for physical hardware.

*5. Customization and Flexibility:*
   - Amp sim plugins evolved to provide extensive customization options, allowing users to tweak parameters such as gain, tone, and speaker type with precision.
   - Rigorous attention to detail in modeling various components of an amplifier chain, including preamp, power amp, and speaker, contributed to the versatility and flexibility of these plugins.

*6. Integration of AI and Machine Learning:*
   - Some modern amp sim plugins leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to analyze and replicate the tonal nuances of specific amplifiers, responding dynamically to playing dynamics and input.

*7. Industry Standardization:*
   - Amp simulation plugins have become industry standards, widely accepted in professional studios and home setups alike.
   - The versatility of these plugins has expanded beyond guitar amplifiers, with simulations of bass amplifiers and other vintage gear becoming commonplace.

*8. Collaboration and Expansion:*
   - The music industry has witnessed collaborations between software developers and renowned amplifier manufacturers to create officially endorsed amp sim plugins, further bridging the gap between analog and digital realms.
   - Continuous updates and expansions of amp sim libraries ensure that musicians have access to the latest and most sought-after amplifier models.

*Conclusion:*
   - Amp simulation plugins have revolutionized the music production process, offering musicians and producers unprecedented access to a vast array of iconic amplifier tones within the convenience of their DAWs.
   - The ongoing evolution of these plugins, driven by advancements in technology and a commitment to sonic authenticity, continues to shape the future of guitar recording and production, cementing amp simulations as indispensable tools in the modern music production toolkit.